The Connection Between Anxiety and Addiction

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal human emotion we all feel from time to time; however, the fear and apprehension accompanying an anxiety disorder are more than passing worry or concern. Anxiety disorders involve an ongoing and persistent struggle that interferes with day-to-day life. Note that it is common for anxiety symptoms to begin during childhood and continue throughout one’s lifetime. In addition, there are several types of anxiety disorders, and it is possible to experience symptoms from one or multiple anxiety disorders.

Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD)

The Relationship Between Anxiety and Addiction

The relationship between anxiety and addiction is well-known but difficult to define clearly. No research studies exist to date that shows whether one illness causes the other; however, their symptoms are heavily intertwined and often share similar root sources. 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by chronic or ongoing anxiety. Someone with GAD will experience elevated tension or heightened worry regardless of whether there is a reason to feel concerned.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs after a traumatic experience that causes harm or the threat of harm. Common examples of trauma often linked to PTSD include accidents, violence, assault, and natural disasters.

Social Phobias (Social Anxiety Disorder or Social Anxiety)

Social phobias or social anxiety disorders are characterized by uncontrollable feelings of stress and self-consciousness during everyday social situations.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) struggle with recurrent and unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Compulsions, also called rituals, are performed to reduce the intensity of obsessions. Often, compulsions are ineffective or provide only temporary relief; however, failure to perform them leads to excessive and uncontrollable anxiety. 

Panic Disorders

Those with a panic disorder experience repeated and often unpredictable or unexpected episodes of overpowering fear. This fear is also accompanied by various physical challenges, including racing heart, difficulty breathing, stomach problems, etc. 

A Deeper Look at Panic Disorders

Phobias (Specific Phobias)

Specific phobias are intense fears of particular objects or situations, such as spiders, water, or flying on an airplane. This fear goes beyond what a person would usually feel when exposed to this level of stimuli. As a result, phobias may cause someone to avoid certain situations or environments where they could come face-to-face with their fear. Depending on the individual's symptoms, a social phobia can be limited to a specific situation or involve all social circumstances.

Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)

Acute stress disorder (ASD) is a set of intense and unpleasant symptoms that arise in the days or weeks immediately following a traumatic event. Often, symptoms last for up to one month before resolving without significant intervention. If symptoms of ASD persist beyond one month, evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is necessary.

Family History and Genetic Influences

Unresolved or Excessive Stressors

In addition to genetics, unresolved or excessive stressors can elevate one's risk of experiencing acute or chronic anxiety conditions. Chronic or unresolved stress can significantly impact specific brain areas responsible for helping people manage stress reactions. When these areas are overstimulated, handling stressors safely and healthily can be challenging. For some, this can also lead to struggles with co-occurring disorders like anxiety and addiction due to using drugs or alcohol or self-medicating.

Trauma

Experiencing trauma, whether recent or in the past, can increase the risk of developing anxiety. It is not uncommon to experience anxiety after witnessing a frightening incident or learning about a traumatic experience of a loved one. Traumatic life events, such as divorce, loss of a loved one, severe illness or injury, or other significant life changes, can also lead to anxiety.

Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis conditions occur when someone simultaneously struggles with a mental health condition and substance use disorder. While co-occurring anxiety and addiction are common, dual diagnosis conditions can be any combination of mental health diagnoses and SUD. Unfortunately, many people who struggle with severe or recurring mental health symptoms turn to drugs or alcohol to reduce the impact of their symptoms. This practice can lead to dependency and addiction to the effects of substances to manage ongoing, untreated symptoms.

Existing Substance Abuse

Finally, existing substance addiction can also lead to new or worsening mental health struggles and, inevitably, a dual diagnosis. Several mental health symptoms can evolve out of addictive behaviors. For example, while actively consuming or trying to quit a substance, symptoms like depression, anxiety, irritability, and paranoia can occur.

Prescription Medications

There are several prescription and non-prescription substances that people who struggle with anxiety disorders may use to reduce their symptoms. For some, prescription medications like benzodiazepines and certain stimulant drugs are used as part of a therapeutic program. Although beneficial in many ways, benzodiazepines are highly addictive, and even short-term prescription use can lead to challenges with dependency and addiction.

Illicit Substances

When prescription medications are no longer available (or never prescribed), it is not uncommon for someone experiencing debilitating anxiety to use illicit substances like cocaine and methamphetamine or substances like alcohol and marijuana to manage their symptoms. Whether legal or illegal, using substances to self-medicate symptoms often worsens mental and physical health challenges.

Self-Medicating

The first is using substances to self-medicate. Self-medication is consuming drugs or alcohol to dull painful physical or emotional symptoms connected to mental or even physical health conditions. In the case of co-occurring anxiety, drugs or alcohol are used to reduce pain, fear, stress, or inhibitions, allowing someone struggling with crippling anxiety symptoms to function "normally." 

Unfortunately, using substances in this way generally leads to a problematic relationship with drugs or alcohol. In time, the body and brain become dependent on the impact of substances, and the ability to perform daily tasks without using or drinking first becomes more and more complex. Thus, ongoing self-medication can cause addiction. 

Withdrawal

Addiction and anxiety dual diagnosis can also occur due to the effects of substance addiction or withdrawal. One of the most common impacts of withdrawing or detoxing from drugs or alcohol is experiencing powerful mental health symptoms. In some cases, when one chooses to detox cold turkey or without the help of a professional treatment program, these symptoms can become so powerful that it quickly leads to a relapse in substance use. The anxiety that arises from not drinking or ingesting a substance can be overwhelming, creating the impulse to continue alcohol or drug use as a coping mechanism. 

Biochemical Factors and Genetic Predisposition

In addition to dual diagnosis that evolves out of self-medication or withdrawal, biochemical factors and genetic predisposition may also increase one's risk for developing a dual diagnosis condition. Biochemical factors are biological processes that occur within your body. As with genetic predisposition, biochemical factors that contribute to anxiety, addiction, or other dual diagnosis conditions are unique to the individual and often unpredictable.

Detoxification

The first step for many who seek help to overcome an anxiety and addiction co-occurring disorder is detox. Many commonly abused substances are difficult to merely stop using without help and support. In some cases, such as alcohol addictions or addictions to opioids and benzodiazepine, quitting cold turkey can have dangerous and potentially life-threatening consequences. 

Therefore, detoxing at a treatment center specializing in anxiety and addiction co-occurring disorder treatment ensures patients have the medical and emotional support and guidance to safely manage the early stages of detox with withdrawal symptoms—which can be the most challenging. 

Therapy

After completing detox, the next stage of anxiety and addiction treatment is therapy. Dual diagnosis programs are designed to help patients learn more about the relationship between anxiety and addiction. By learning more about how mental health challenges, such as anxiety, can lead to new or worsening struggles with substance abuse. The treatment professionals at a dual diagnosis treatment center work with each patient to develop a therapeutic program designed around their treatment needs and goals.

Personalized Treatment Plan

The therapeutic model, duration of treatment, and other factors unique to anxiety and addiction treatment will vary from person to person. This variation is crucial as co-occurring disorders are illnesses that affect each person differently. Therefore, the path to overcoming symptoms and achieving lasting sobriety must be individualized and focused on each person’s needs, not their diagnosis.

Therapeutic Models

Most dual diagnosis treatment programs utilize various therapeutic models, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and alternative options. In addition to evidence-based treatments, peer support groups, nutritional therapies, medication-assisted treatment, and other therapeutic methods are used as part of a comprehensive treatment program focused on helping people heal.

Aftercare

As the primary treatment program ends, patients will work with their treatment team to develop an aftercare plan. These continuing care plans include ongoing support and guidance to help with relapse prevention and comfort as patients transition back to their day-to-day routine.

Be Kind and Do Not Judge

First, it is essential to be kind, understanding, and nonjudgmental. Unfortunately, stigma, fear, and worry still surround mental health and addiction treatment conversations. Because of this, many who could benefit from help at an anxiety and addiction treatment program expect rejection, accusations, or harsh treatment from their loved ones. 

Show Support

It is important to show that you still care for and love the person and you are here to help them on their journey to recovery. Instead of ultimatums or accusations, offer specific solutions and emotional support. Let them know you are here and available to talk, drive to appointments, help with research, or anything else they need to overcome anxiety and addiction.

Ask for Help

Do not be afraid to ask for help for your loved one and yourself. If you are unsure where to begin, contact a member of our team at Anew Treatment Center to learn more about family support and dual diagnosis treatment and the relationship between anxiety and addiction. 

Do’s and Don’ts

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs

Fortunately, dual diagnosis treatment programs understand both conditions must be addressed as part of one integrated treatment approach. At our dual diagnosis treatment program, we will work with you to understand your specific treatment needs and goals as you begin the journey to recovery. Through careful assessment and treatment planning, we will help develop a treatment program based on evidence-based treatment models designed to help you learn about the relationship between addiction and anxiety.

Contact Us Today

Overcoming a dual diagnosis without support and guidance can feel challenging and, in some cases, impossible. Seeking help from our caring and compassionate staff at Anew Treatment Center is the safest and most effective way to achieve lasting health, wellness, and freedom from anxiety and addiction. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and how dual diagnosis treatment can help.

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